Chapter 12 My lord, just say what you have to say, no need for sarcasm...
However, these doubts did not last long. Once inside the study, one had to suppress any thoughts that might be on one's mind.
However, what Fu Mingzi found somewhat strange was that the Imperial Study was a little different from usual today. The Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince, who had been pretending not to exist, were actually talking together, while the Fourth Prince, who was usually the most lively, sat blankly in his seat without saying a word.
As for the Ninth Prince, who always looked down on everyone, he held his chin high and was talking to Luo Xing, who had a fawning expression on his face.
However, the scene froze the moment he and Zhou Xiaoyan appeared. Everyone looked over. The sixth and seventh princes had strange expressions. They glanced at him and then lowered their heads to continue talking. The fourth prince looked like he wanted to say something but didn't say anything.
Only the Ninth Prince looked at Zhou Xiaoyan and sneered. Luo Xing, that fool, immediately jumped out: "Fu Mingzi, I heard you ran out of the city yesterday. What, you're still so unscrupulous even as a study companion? What do you take your royal duties for!"
Fu Mingzi didn't even bother with this person, rolled her eyes, and sat down in her seat.
But Luo Xing wouldn't let it go: "Hey, are you just angry because you're embarrassed? Or do you really despise the royal family?"
Fu Mingzi was furious and suddenly stood up, ready to yell at someone.
"Who are you calling disrespectful to the royal family?" A clear, bright voice suddenly came from outside the study.
Fu Mingzi frowned and looked outside.
Luo Xing, however, seemed to have caught something red-handed and immediately looked excitedly outside: "Second Prince, you're back so soon!"
The Second Prince? Could it be the Second Prince Zhou Xiaozheng? He is the son of Consort De, of noble birth, and his maternal family is the Minister of Revenue, who was just enfeoffed as the Prince of Yan before the new year.
This prince is currently locked in a fierce battle with the crown prince in court, so why did he suddenly come to the Imperial Study today?
Fu Mingzi squinted as she watched a handsome man walk in from outside.
"It's just retrieving a book from the front hall, how much trouble could it take?" The Second Prince said with a smile, appearing very easy to talk to.
However, Fu Mingzi knew that this second prince was famously powerful and not a good-tempered person.
The Second Prince's gaze lingered between Fu Mingzi and Luo Xing, seemingly smiling yet harboring a chill.
"What were you just saying? What contempt for the royal family?" the second prince asked meaningfully.
Fu Mingzi was displeased by his sarcastic tone and was about to speak when Zhou Xiaoyan spoke up first: "Your Majesty, this was just a joke between the two of them. Yesterday's matter was that Minister Fu was delivering a letter home. Minister Fu had already asked me for leave. Moreover, I caught a cold yesterday and was unable to attend school, so it didn't cause any problems."
"Is that so?" The Second Prince's tone seemed somewhat sarcastic as he glanced at Luo Xing.
Luo Xing wanted to sabotage Fu Mingzi, but the Fifth Prince had already made things clear, so he had no right to say anything more. Besides, no matter how unfavored the Fifth Prince was, he was still a prince, and he dared not openly oppose him.
"Perhaps it's as Your Highness said, but I'm not quite sure," Luo Xing said with a dry laugh.
A hint of contempt flashed in the Second Prince's eyes. What a useless fellow. But then he smiled and said, "Since there's nothing wrong, that's good. I came here today to see you all. We brothers haven't seen each other for several days, and I've missed you dearly. This book is one I used when I was studying. It still has my notes in it. If you need it, feel free to take a look." The Second Prince smiled and placed the book on the teacher's desk.
His actions naturally prompted his younger brothers to rise and express their gratitude, creating a harmonious scene of brotherly love and respect.
Fu Mingzi took a half step back and stood behind Zhou Xiaoyan, a smile on his face but a chill in his heart. Had he offended the Second Prince in some way? How could a prince, of such high status, cause trouble for him?
The second prince was probably only there to feign brotherly affection, so he said a few more high-sounding words and then went home. Only after he left did the atmosphere in the room return to normal.
Fu Mingzi returned to his seat, frowning in thought. This was the second time he had met the Second Prince, and the first time he had spoken to him. Logically speaking, he had not offended the Second Prince in any way. He wondered who the Second Prince was targeting with his actions today.
Fu Mingzi glanced at Zhou Xiaoyan, only to find him looking hesitant and wanting to say something.
Fu Mingzi initially wanted to ask something, her lips moved, but she ultimately didn't say anything.
It's truly embarrassing that Master Fu, a man of both wisdom and courage, would need to ask others for help with such a trivial matter, especially with Zhou Xiaoyan in front of him.
Fu Mingzi turned her face away, pretending nothing had happened.
Zhou Xiaoyan was unaware of his inner thoughts. When he saw him turn his face away, he frowned slightly.
Duan Xueshi arrived quickly. He seemed distracted throughout the lesson, simply reading from the textbook. He also left early, as if someone was chasing him.
Fu Mingzi asked curiously, "What happened to Scholar Duan? Did something happen at home? He left so early."
Zhou Xiaoyan glanced at Fu Mingzi and said in a low voice, "Today is the day to decide the chief examiners for the spring imperial examination. The candidates should have already entered the Taiji Hall by now."
Fu Mingzi was startled, not expecting it to happen so quickly.
“That scholar is definitely not qualified, no wonder he’s so dejected,” Fu Mingzi murmured.
Zhou Xiaoyan didn't say anything, and walked slowly out of the classroom with him.
As soon as they went out, they found that the Ninth Prince had not left. He was standing outside the door talking to Luo Xing. When he saw them come out, he turned around and looked at Fu Mingzi with a half-smile: "You are quite lucky today. If it were any other day, you would probably have suffered some hardship at the hands of the Second Brother."
Fu Mingzi had not expected the Ninth Prince to speak to him, and the meaning behind the Ninth Prince's words made him suspicious.
"What does Your Highness mean by this?" Fu Mingzi asked.
The Ninth Prince chuckled and looked at Zhou Xiaoyan: "What, Fifth Brother, didn't you tell your study companion?"
Fu Mingzi frowned and glanced at Zhou Xiaoyan, whose expression remained indifferent and unmoved.
“Ninth Brother, just say what you have to say. There’s no need for this sarcastic tone.” Zhou Xiaoyan said indifferently.
"You!" The Ninth Prince was so angry that his face turned red. Judging from his appearance, if he weren't so small, he probably would have hit him.
"Fine, fine, fine." The Ninth Prince laughed angrily, then turned to Fu Mingzi with a vicious look: "Don't be so smug. It's one thing for a mere son of a Duke to have some ability, but you dare to act so arrogantly in the palace. Although your second brother has spared you today, he will not let you off easily in the future." After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and turned to leave.
Luo Xing gave Fu Mingzi a malicious look, then followed the Ninth Prince obsequiously.
After the two of them left, Zhou Xiaoyan asked in a calm tone, "What do you think?"
Fu Mingzi's eyes were cold as she smirked, "The Ninth Prince is indeed still young, treating everyone like fools. I wonder who taught him that."
The Second Prince was targeting Fu Mingzi, and Fu Mingzi could certainly sense it herself. But why did the Ninth Prince deliberately block her way here to tell her the reason? Couldn't Fu Mingzi sense it too?
He just wanted to use someone else to do his dirty work and sit back and watch the fight, so Fu Mingzi naturally wouldn't let a little brat scheme against him.
After hearing his words, Zhou Xiaoyan turned his head and looked at him seriously: "You're not angry that I didn't tell you why the Second Prince was targeting you?"
Fu Mingzi was somewhat puzzled: "There are many people and a lot of gossip in the school. Didn't Your Highness intend to tell me privately?"
Zhou Xiaoyan hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Yes."
Fu Mingzi heard that he sounded a little depressed and couldn't help but laugh: "I knew I was right, Your Highness is really cute."
Zhou Xiaoyan paused again, and after a moment said in a low voice, "Let's go."
As Fu Mingzi watched Zhou Xiaoyan walk out first, she found him increasingly interesting.
After listening to Zhou Xiaoyan's explanations along the way, Fu Mingzi finally understood why the Second Prince had suddenly gone mad and targeted him.
It turns out that the Second Prince had won the Emperor's favor by surpassing the Crown Prince in martial prowess. His outstanding performance at the shooting range had caught the Emperor's attention, who had praised him verbally in front of the princes and ministers. The Second Prince, who was not particularly magnanimous to begin with, was probably genuinely unhappy that he had stolen the spotlight from the Crown Prince.
The reason he let Fu Mingzi off the hook today was simple: at today's court assembly, the chief examiner for the imperial examinations was to be chosen by the Second Prince's faction. He dared not offend the Fu family at this crucial juncture, but he couldn't swallow his anger, so he decided to pick on Luo Xing, this fool, to stand up for him.
Unfortunately, although Luo Xing was foolish, his foolishness was limited. He had no intention of risking his life for the Second Prince, which is why Fu Mingzi escaped a calamity.
Fu Mingzi was speechless when he heard the last part. What kind of people were these? They cared about such a small thing. He just hoped that the Second Prince was just putting on an act and that he was not really narrow-minded. Otherwise, he would have a hard time in the future.
With a heavy heart, Fu Mingzi escorted Zhou Xiaoyan back to his courtyard. As soon as she returned, she found a eunuch in a red robe standing by the door. Fu Mingzi was taken aback. Only the chief eunuch of a palace could wear a red robe.
"This servant, Wang Chunlai, greets Your Highness the Fifth Prince."
Wang Chunlai—he remembered his elder brother mentioning this name to him. Wasn't he the eunuch who served Consort Wan, the birth mother of the Fifth Prince?
"Get up." Zhou Xiaoyan frowned and raised his hand. "Is there something wrong with Mother?" he asked subconsciously.
Wang Chunlai looked to be in his thirties or forties, with a plump figure, fair complexion, and no beard. He spoke with a smile on his face: "It's nothing, it's just that Her Majesty misses His Highness and wants to summon him to see her."
Zhou Xiaoyan's brows relaxed slightly, and he glanced at Fu Mingzi behind him: "Fu Qing, I will ask for leave from the martial arts class this afternoon. You can go back first."
Fu Mingzi was taken aback, finding Zhou Xiaoyan's words somewhat strange. However, he didn't want to get involved in the mother and son's affairs, so he didn't think much of it, cupped his hands in greeting, and turned to leave.
"Young Master Fu, please wait a moment." Wang Chunlai smiled and looked at him. "Her Majesty said that Young Master Fu has been His Highness's study companion for so long, but we have not had the chance to meet him. Today, His Majesty has granted permission for us to meet you. Please come with His Highness to see Her Majesty."
Fu Mingzi was somewhat confused and increasingly felt that this Consort Wan was improper. He was an outsider and was already seventeen or eighteen years old. If he entered the harem, even if the emperor approved, he would inevitably be talked about in the future. It was rare to see Consort Wan being so bold.
"No need." Zhou Xiaoyan coldly refused Wang Chunlai's offer. "Fu Qing has important matters at home and needs to return early. I cannot go there. I will explain this to my mother." Zhou Xiaoyan looked at Wang Chunlai coldly.
Wang Chunlai, however, was truly good-natured, still smiling: "Since Your Highness says so, then so be it."
Fu Mingzi felt the atmosphere was very strange, but she didn't dare to say anything. She cupped her hands in greeting and turned to leave.
Watching Fu Mingzi leave, Zhou Xiaoyan turned to look at Wang Chunlai, his eyes almost overflowing with coldness.
“Eunuch Wang, it would be best to avoid such things in the future. As the head eunuch by my mother’s side, you should remind her from time to time.”
Wang Chunlai seemed oblivious to the chill in his words and chuckled softly, "Your Highness is right. This servant was wrong today."
Zhou Xiaoyan snorted coldly, said nothing more, and turned to head towards the inner palace.
A note from the author:
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I've been doing a thorough house cleaning these past few days, which has been very tiring, so updates have been inconsistent. I'm really sorry.
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